Kuroshitsuji/Black Butler- Time passes

Chapter 9

James and Sebastian went to the kitchen to prepare lunch and left the two Counts on their own.The silence in the room was interrupted by Ciel's voice-:Earlier I was practicing with the sword, would you like to have a little challenge?:- he proposed in an uncharacteristically amused tone and Richard could only accept nodding with that beautiful smile of his.The boys went out into the garden and got into position.-:I warn you Ciel I've been training with the royal forces, even if it's a friendly match I won't hold back:- said Richard proudly.-:What a coincidence, I was just about to ask you to give it your all:- replied Ciel to the intimidation sneeringly.The wind began to blow on the two who were burning with the urge to hurl themselves at each other.When the air ceased to caress their bodies, the silence of nature was drowned out by the phenents of swords striking repeatedly, faster and faster, each attack more powerful and violent to say the least. Richard was beginning to feel himself struggling and his breathing was getting heavier and heavier, he had no idea that his opponent was so strong and could no longer keep up with Ciel who was not sneering with an amused face as before, he was serious, in fact, he seemed to be almost bored. His blows were precise, he had no intention of losing, he knew that this challenge was just a friendly one but it had a special importance for him. Tired of wasting his time fiddling with Richard, the diabolical Count hurled himself directly at his opponent and with one blow made his sword fly away. Richard was impressed, -:I congratulate you Ciel, it's been years since I fought like this:-.-:Do you mean to tell me that you are one of the most skilled swordsmen in the royal forces?:--:Yes, not the strongest, but I am among the best, and I did not expect anything better from a colleague:- said Count Moonlight smiling.

----(In the kitchen)----

The two butlers were both working in the kitchen while the earls disputed the fencing match. Sebastian, having decided on the menu of the day according to the guest's tastes under James' advice, set to work. Count Richard was a man with the appetite of a child, in fact the courses were mostly pastries and various sweets. At this point, the raven-haired butler started worrying, eating human food was still no picnic for his master, so he knew what would be waiting for him after consuming all those things.-:You are very careful with the work you do Sebastian:-, James' voice interrupted his colleague's thoughts. He did not detach himself from his work, he had no intention of dealing with a demon inferior to him so he answered him with a coldly spoken -:Thank you:-. While the last trays were in the oven, James took a drink of water, a rather unusual gesture from a demon. Sebastian was checking the firing point when he noticed that something was falling, he realised soon afterwards that some glasses were about to shatter on the floor, but he picked them up with his elegant, acrobatic movements and calmly put them back in place -:Aaah..my goodness, that was close --:Wow, amazing!:- James praised him again, applauding ironically.Sebastian looked at him for a moment and then realised! The bastard had just tested him, but he did not lose his composure, it would take more than that to unmask his identity.-:Tsk, I wouldn't be master Phantomhive's butler if I didn't even know how to pick up glasses, don't you think James?:- said the diabolical butler smiling. -:Oooh sure, you're right Sebastian, but now stop giving me the act because I get it you know? You and Ciel have a contract, he's your prey, isn't he? Ah, you want to know how I found out? You know, on my side, I have a card up my sleeve called experience, maybe in your eyes I look like an inferior demon, but you know better than me that you can't judge a book by its cover.:- added the host's butler  with an air of triumph.Sebastian became serious, he had concealed his aura well and yet he could not explain how the one in front of him had unmasked him. -:Well, it was going to happen sooner or later, so I want to ask you something James, and be sure to listen to me because it's very important.-:And that is?:- asked the other.-:If you dare to spill even a single drop of blood from Ciel, I promise I will be merciless with you:-.-:Do you usually go straight to threats? Well then I want to reassure you, I don't need Ciel to satiate me because the qualities of the souls of our current masters are equal, so if you stay away from my food I'll stay away from yours:-.Sebastian did not stop looking at him grimly.Richard Moonlight, a man who had renounced heaven on his own free will. This was a more than important information for both Sebastian and Ciel. -:With permission:- he said before he turned away and went into the garden.-:May I ask Count Moonlight and Bocchan to follow me to the dining room, your meals are ready:- .Sebastian interrupted the confrontation with his calm voice.-:Where did you come from?!:- shouted Richard with an astonished face, -:Please forgive me, I did not mean to frighten you:--Naaahh, don't worry Sebby, you can be as familiar as you like with me:-, the count reassured him, but he was frightened again when he saw Sebastian's angry look. Ciel started laughing under his moustache, -:Hey, what's going on? What did I say?...Guys?:-. Richard did not understand and became more confused.-:Mr. Moonlight, please don't call me that, for confidential reasons I would not like to have that nickname:-, said Sebastian, who meanwhile remembered Grell calling him the same. -:Ah...well...is Seb OK?:- asked Richard in a naive tone.-It doesn't matter what you call him, let's go eat:- said Ciel, who was amused not only by Grell's nickname, but also by the fact that Sebastian didn't like his name in general.

The table was full of all kinds of delicacies, just the sight of those dishes made Richard's mouth water as he immediately sat down at the table.-:Seb, Jimmy great job to you both:-. Unlike Richard, whose eyes sparkled, Ciel was thinking about what he would do after eating all those things. Of course there was a time when he would have done it voracioulsy, and even though gluttony is a very used sin by demons, he could never eat men's food without getting chills down his back. The only solution would have been to vomit it all out or keep that filth in his stomach.-:Oh, say Ciel, where are the children from the orphanage? Since I came here, I haven't seen a single one:- asked Richard looking around.-:I've organised a little holiday of ten days at the seaside, London is a very gloomy place, and although there has been good weather lately, you never know when it might rain again:-.-:Nice of you, why didn't you go too, you're not here for work anyway:-.Ciel looked at him seriously and with all his calmness replied: -:Who would take care of the mansion? It is precisely because I have nothing to do that I guard this orphanage. The director lets us live here without asking for money in return, that's the least Sebastian and I can offer.

Lunch went well, the two Earls chatted about various topics and both discovered they had a lot in common. At the end of the meal Richard raised his wine glass in the air and dedicated it to the cooperation of both counts.-:Say Richard, when shall we meet for the first investigation?:- asked Ciel quietly.-:Tomorrow morning at about 8 a.m. in the police station, they don't like me "meddling" in their affairs, but who cares, I have the Queen's permission, so I can come and go as I please:- answered Count Moonlight grinning.-:Well, Jimmy I think it's time to go, we've really enjoyed being with you and we thank you for your hospitality, but you know that I have a lot of work ahead of me and there are also preparations for the wedding, I'd better go because I think I've disturbed you too much.Sebastian and Ciel accompanied them to the carriage, wished them a good journey and went back inside.-:By the look on your face, it looks like you've discovered something "Seb":- said Ciel, provoking his butler.-:James found out that I am a demon and knows about our contract:- revealed Sebastian to him.Ciel exclaimed cursing and clenching his fists.-:But:- Sebastian said before the master poured out more vulgarity -:he thinks you're a human, and what's more, I found out something interesting about Count Moonlight:- Sebastian added in a quiet voice.-:And that is?-:He gave his soul on his own free will, both James and I promised each other not to touch our respective masters, but you know very well that things change in the situation we're in:-.A frightening smile was drawn on Ciel's face and his eyes began to shine-:And how they change, HA! I see your strategy worked. Well, well, Count of my boots, let's see for how long your butler can protect you.---(In Moonlight's mansion)-----:Master, your suspicions were well-founded:--:So Ciel has also renounced his soul like me, well, there will be good things to come:-